Silly comparisons

[sabrinamari]

Every once in awhile, I get *really* excited about all my KIVA loans. And then I click on some random KIVA lender with a fun name and see this:

http://www.kiva.org/lender/stephen3863

Awesome mission. 5840 loans.

First, I feel deflated. 5840 loans??? I'll never get there!

But then I get excited, because damn, this person made 5840 loans! impacting probably 4-6 immediate family members per loan, and that is one hell of a lot of good to have done with your money. Wow!

And finally I think, "Hey, those 298 people I loaned to really benefitted from their loans. And that is good".

And then I realize that making just one loan has the potential to make a huge, life-changing impact on an entire family. And that is more than good enough!

****

Cool KIVA lenders abound. Personally, I still like Edgar the Cat. He's my kind of international financier:

http://www.kiva.org/lender/john6554

Comments

[castalusoria.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty proud of my 26 loans, and in awe of your hundreds of loans! It's all a circle-- a growing circle!

*toasts you with my shiny green Kiva water bottle*

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I love that bottle. Thank you!

[showingup.livejournal.com]

At Meeting for Worship on Sunday, 3 Friends gave ministry. Each of them spoke of "not doing anything out of the fear of doing too little", as one put it. They each spoke about how every act makes a difference, even when we don't realise it, and how the small acts are foundational. Apparently, it was a Quaker custom to appoint someone at each Meeting for Worship to hold the horses. He didn't get to participate in Meeting in the ordinary way of things - but can you imagine how things would have gone if there was no-one to watch the horses?

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I totally get it!

Makes me think, in an entirely different direction, about how important the summoner and handmaiden are. I can run a rit without a priest, but I really need either a summoner or a handmaiden to pull it off well. Both would be better. Two of each is best for large public rituals. Good summoners and handmaidens are worth their weight in gold.

So yes, what's most important isn't always what's flashy, visible or larger-than-life.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Yup, it's important not to get too far into the comparison thing, because if your 298 aren't good enough, then my 8 are worthless and I should stop now, and I KNOW you don't think that. :P We are all doing good here.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Your eight loans are precious, and eight families around the world are getting the economic breaks they deserve because of you!

So yes, I will stop comparing.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

My mom just made another loan yesterday! I'm proud of her for getting into this. :)